Interfaith Centre Chaplains
Our chaplains serve on a volunteer, part-time basis and represent various faith communities.
As a SAIT alumnus, Art enjoyed a life of adventure in the air ambulance industry — bringing help and hope to some critical scenarios over the years.
His intense career experiences stirred in him difficult questions of life and death, meaning and purpose. Art says his journey has led him through a "theology of grace" into deeper spirituality, community and conviction.
What's a chaplain?
Oooo, great question. I feel it means different things to people. Some would look to us as pastors or priests with whom they can find like-minded community and spiritual guidance. Others are looking for a safe place to ask questions and gain perspective. Essentially, I guess we’re sounding boards — people who can speak encouragement and offer perspective.
Ask me about...
Anything! I absolutely love: hockey (sports in general, but come on, I'm Canadian), coffee (fresh, hand-ground in my office or in my "second office", The Odyssey), technology (ask me about my watch), family (I'm blessed with the best wife and son in the history of the world), spirituality (meaning and purpose — for me, the answers are nestled deep in my own faith journey), food and culture, the list goes on.
What does interfaith mean to me?
To me, interfaith is about not merely tolerating different faiths or non-faith but finding ways to celebrate each other while recognizing the differences.
Contact
art.kung@sait.ca
403.542.0414
Monday to Friday, 9 am – 4 pm
What's a chaplain?
I'm still figuring that out! Although I’ve been a priest for seven years and have always remained connected with university students and young adults, I’m still learning about the best way to serve people at this stage of their life on and off-campus.
Ask me about...
Food and climbing. I have a very large Italian family on my mother's side, so I basically grew up in a kitchen. In the last five years, I have discovered rock climbing and am a proud member of the Calgary Climbing Centre community.
What does interfaith mean to me?
The freedom to explore the meaning of life and who (if anyone) decided we should be here is the most enriching experience of being human. Faith traditions give us a way to consider these important topics, and when doing so side by side we learn to look and listen together.
Contact
cristino.bouvette@sait.ca
403.463.2133
Wednesday, 10 am - 2 pm
Let's connect on Facebook
Born and raised in Calgary, Margaret completed her post-secondary at U of A and Augustana University and her MDiv. In Saskatoon. Ordained into the Lutheran church, she serves not only as chaplain, but also a pastor of Historic Trinity Lutheran Church downtown. Although she’s not an athlete herself, she loves watching her children play sports and seeing them excel with gifts so differently from her own. Margaret loves the arts, especially painting, ceramics, stained glass, jewelry, sculpture, and architecture.
What is a Chaplain?
Depends on who you talk to... For me, it’s a person trained to provide Spiritual Care for people in the institution you work for. At SAIT, this would include students, staff, faculty, and alumni of SAIT. But the truth of the matter is that my position is funded by my faith community, and my faith community would expand the demographic to include the wider community and beyond. So, the question might be, what is Spiritual Care? For me, spiritual care is providing care and support for an individual’s sense of meaning, and purpose through either their relationship to the divine (God) and the World. This includes others through community, with ourselves, and with creation (nature). Sometimes we do this through rituals, being in community with others, introspection, and experiencing beauty and joy. I can’t say I have any answers, but certainly can provide a listening ear and resources to support others who are wanting to explore, or continue in their spiritual life.
Ask me about...
Anything… But I probably won’t have much to tell you because I prefer to listen. I love listening to the story of others and hearing what God is up to in the lives of others. But I can probably talk your ear off about my beloved pet Sam, a bearded dragon who went missing for 3 weeks this summer and survived our suburban neighborhood filled with magpies, cats, and hawks!
What does interfaith mean to me?
It’s the intentional conversation, understanding and work different faith groups do to manifest the goodness of one another and the world. This goes beyond just tolerating one another, but acknowledging the need and value of the different traditions, understandings and faiths that divide us so we no longer ‘other’ one another. In seeing and valuing the beauty of another, we can also see and value the beauty of our own traditions more fully.
Contact
margaret.propp@sait.ca
403.471.9895
Friday, 11 am – 5 pm
I came from Hong Kong and received my high school, university and Seminary education in Saskatchewan. Later, I also completed my graduate studies at the University of Alberta. I was ordained by the Rhenish Church (Lutheran Denomination) Hong Kong Synod and served as parish pastor and the school principal in Hong Kong.
In 1990, I was accepted into the Clergy Roster of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada and served as the parish pastor with the New Life Lutheran Church in Edmonton. In 2007, I was appointed by the Bishop of Alberta Synod, ELCIC, as the Mission Developer in the Northwest area of Calgary and later served as the parish pastor of the Mission Church — Abundant Life Lutheran Church in Calgary. In August 2022, the Lutheran Care Ministry was set up under the auspices of the Alberta Synod ELCIC to assist international students and their families from Hong Kong.
My wife Amy is a schoolteacher, and my daughter Debbie works with an accounting firm.
Contact
peter.chau@sait.ca
403.389.8145
Monday and Wednesday, 9 am - 4 pm
Sheikh Iqbal Gora, Islam (Sunni)
Iqbal is a proudly born-and-raised Calgarian Muslim. His spiritual and religious journey began with the memorization of the Qur'ān which then followed with completing a six-year intensive, graduating with 'Alimiyyah in Islamic Studies from Dār al-Ulūm al-‘Arabiyyah al-Islāmiyyah in Cape Town, South Africa. Iqbal served as Imam of Calgary's oldest masjid - Calgary Islamic Centre - SW Masjid for two years. Additionally, he led tour groups to the Islamic sacred sites of Makkah and Madinah, and served as principal of the Islamic Centre of South Calgary's Weekend Qur'ān School. Presently, Iqbal is serving as the resident Imam of NW Islamic Centre/Ranchlands Musallah with the Islamic Association of Northwest Calgary. He has been active in delivering Friday (Jumu’ah) sermons in the city for six years, and currently alternates between the NW Islamic Centre (Ranchlands) and Maryam Masjid (Beddington). Sheikh Iqbal is also a proud member of the SAIT alumni and graduated with a diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology!
What is a Chaplain?
A chaplain supports the spiritual and emotional needs of students and staff. Chaplains organize religious activities, provide counselling, and foster a sense of community and inclusion. From an Islamic paradigm, being a chaplain follows the Prophetic teachings of offering good will and sincere advice.
Ask me about...
Theology, public speaking, and... engineering! As a graduate of SAIT's MET program, I am always keen to discuss and learn more about the latest trends and developments in engineering (or help you on your homework!). I have a special interest in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and in aviation (I used to de-ice planes at the Calgary International Airport). Additionally, I enjoy the process of researching a topic and presenting it to large groups of people and teaching others the art of effective communication - a critical skill for any professional! Lastly, do you want to have a detailed dialogue on theology, the meaning of life and death, or ethics and morality? Let's talk!
What does interfaith mean to me?
As a Muslim, interfaith means adhering to three beautiful Qur'ānic principles:
- We were created into nations and tribes so that we may get to know one another.
- Finding common ground with one another.
- Establishing conversations - and even debates, with exemplary character.
Contact
iqbal.gora@sait.ca
403.437.2325
Available Wednesday, 1 - 5 pm
Interfaith Centre student leaders
Our student leaders assist with developing and delivering Interfaith Centre programming and events.
See our Student Leadership Program to find current opportunities and apply.
"Hey! I’m Keegan! I was born in Calgary and moved to Okotoks, and I have lived there the rest of my life! I go to SAIT for Software Development and have been programming since I was a kid. I’m very friendly and would love to talk about anything.
My interests are skateboarding, guitar, programming, music and plants. I love being outside, either camping or hiking and have started looking for some areas to rock climb.
Being at the Interfaith Centre, I would love to get to know more about all types of cultures and have conversations to learn more about different faiths. I'm looking forward to seeing you there!"
Schedule of services
Christian prayer
When: Tuesdays | noon – 1 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Meeting Space (room MC311)
All are welcome to join our Christian community in weekly prayers for our campus, city, nation and world.
Catholic prayer in Polish
When: Wednesday | 12:15 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Meeting Space (room MC311)
This Catholic prayer time is open to everyone, but please be advised that it will be held exclusively in Polish language and tradition.
Muslim mid-day (Dhuhr) and afternoon (Asr) prayers
When: Monday - Friday | 1 - 5 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Confluence (room MB315)
Prayer times vary; please check the current local calendar.
Falun Gong meditation
When: Monday | 4 pm, Tuesdays | 2 pm, Wednesdays | 3 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre Interfaith space (room MB315)
Falun Gong (or Falun Dafa) is a religious movement founded in China by its leader Li Hongzhi in 1992. All are welcome to join this meditation group that combines qigong exercises with Falun Gong philosophy.
Interfaith interface
When: Fridays | 11 am – 12 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Centre (room MB305)
Interfaith interface is a safe, inclusive and inspiring activity where students from different spiritual backgrounds and diverse cultures come together to engage in thought-provoking dialogue where weekly topics reflect diverse religious calendar events and current global and local issues.
Jesus is Lord Church - SCOM Bible Study
When: Tuesdays | 4 - 5 pm, Fridays | 2 - 4 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith meeting space (room MC311)
This weekly Christian Bible Study is run by students who are members of the Jesus is Lord Church, with a Filipino focus, but all are welcome to join.
New Covenant Assembly Campus Fellowship
When: Thursday | 4:30 - 6 pm
Where: Stan Grad Centre, Interfaith Meeting Space (room MC311)
NCA Campus Fellowship is a Saitsa Club run by Christian student members of the New Covenant Assembly Church with a focus on Nigerians, but all are welcome to join this weekly gathering.
SAIT UBF Christian Club
When: Sundays | 11 am – noon
Where: Heritage Hall, room AA106
UBF Christian Club is a Saitsa Club offering a weekly Christian Sunday Service for students desiring a place to find Christian fellowship and worship God together. All are welcome.
Speed faithing
Kick-start a classroom conversation about ethics, religion, diversity, cross-cultural communication and more with help from one or all of our chaplains.
Book a session for your class through student.engagement@sait.ca.
Additional resources
Memorial and grief support
Our interfaith chaplains work collaboratively within SAIT to support staff and students dealing with the loss of a colleague or classmate.
Religious accommodation
If you need accommodation for religious observance, complete the online request form a minimum of 10 days before the observance.
Requests will be accommodated if they qualify.
Please note, this is not considered time off, but rather time in lieu. Students are still responsible for catching up on missed classes, lab work, exams, or other assignments.
If an accommodation is granted, students will work with their instructor(s) to ensure they still meet all course requirements.
Request religious accommodation
Community spaces
The Interfaith Centre, MB305, is open Monday - Friday from 9 am - 4 pm for drop-in visits. This space acts as our community hub where anyone can visit with a chaplain, meet fellow students and new people, play board games, engage in thoughtful dialogue or just simply find a place to rest and belong.
The Interfaith Meditation Room, MB314, is open Monday - Friday from 7 am - 7 pm for personal, private meditation practice. All are welcome to use this as a quiet place to reflect, centre oneself, or just to get away from noise and activity.
Both spaces may be booked for group religious or spiritual meetings from 7 am - 7 pm. These spaces are the only rooms available for booking.
Interfaith Insider newsletter
Sign up for the Interfaith mailing list so you don't miss out on our monthly newsletter, news about events and support for SAIT's interfaith community!
Sign up for Interfaith Insider
- March 2024 issue
- February 2024 issue
- September 2023 issue
- August 2023 issue
- July 2023 issue
- June 2023 issue
- May 2023 issue
- April 2023 issue
- March 2023 issue
Looking for older issues? Please email us at student.engagement@sait.ca.